Spain's National Day Parade Preview: 4,380 Troops, 82 Aircraft and a Debut for Dragón Armoured Vehicles
Spain's Ministry of Defence set out the programme on October 10 for the National Day military parade on October 12. The King and Queen will preside over the ceremony, which starts at 11 a.m. The ground parade will run from the Glorieta de Carlos V, by Atocha station, to Plaza de Colón, a route of about 1,540 metres, and will be preceded by the solemn tribute to those who gave their lives for Spain and the raising of the national flag.
A total of 4,380 service members will take part, 3,850 men and 530 women, with 144 vehicles, 39 motorcycles, 286 horses and five dogs. The air parade will field 82 aircraft: 34 fighters and trainers, 16 transport aircraft and 32 helicopters.
This year's parade will give a debut to the Army's new 8x8 Dragón armoured vehicles, a Spanish-built programme whose first units have joined the Legion's Brigada Rey Alfonso XIII. The defence ministry says public anticipation is running high after last year's crowds.
Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez, Defence Minister Margarita Robles and the Chief of Defence Staff, Admiral Teodoro López Calderón, are expected to attend. The parade comes with Spain in the middle of an election campaign, five days after the snap election was called for November 29. (Source: Ministry of Defence, Spain)
Source: Ministry of Defence, Spain
Published by GSM · USA (original Chinese edition)
Photo: 图：西班牙空军「欧洲战斗机」战机（资料图）。Wikimedia Commons 开放授权。 / Photo: A Spanish Air Force Eurofighter (file photo). Wikimedia Commons, open license.
